The annual Irish national holiday for St Patrick's Day has long inspired Emerald Isle-themed record attempts marking the occasion.

In past year's the date has seen a host of successful record attempts around the world including the world's largest Irish dance, largest gathering of people dressed as Saint Patrick and largest gathering of people dressed as leprechauns.

While we'd readily associate these records with being held in Ireland, there are a whole host of records claimed by the country and its inhabitants that may come as a surprise.

In celebration of the nation where GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS can trace much of its roots, here we list some of the lesser known record-breaking achievements associated with Ireland.

Best selling act with no concert appearances
Irish singer/songwriter Enya, has sold 70 million albums around the world since going solo in 1988, despite having never performed a solo concert.

Busiest airline for international passengers
In the year up to 14 May 2012 Irish airline Ryanair carried 76.422 million people, making it the world's largest carrier of international passengers, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

First road traffic death
Mary Ward, an Irish amateur scientist, holds the unfortunate record of being the first person to have been recorded dying due to a road accident. On 31 August 1869, Mary fell out of her cousin's experimental steam car and was run-over, breaking her neck in the process.

At the inquest, the presiding coroner, John Corcoran, stated "this must never happen again". The vehicle speed was estimated to be 3.5 to 4 miles per hour (5.6 to 6.4 km per hour).

Tea

Largest tea consumption per capita
Between 1998 and 2000, the country with the greatest annual consumption of tea was Ireland with 2.69 kg (5 lb 14 oz) per capita, which is approximately 1,184 cups per person each year.

Longest serving altar boy
Tommy Kinsella began to serve at Mass in the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Bray, Co Wicklow, in April 1917, at the age of 11. He continued working for the same church for 81 years until his death on April 1 1999.

Tallest windmill
The tallest windmill in the world is the St Patrick's Distillery Mill in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, now without sails. It is 45.7 m (150 ft) tall.

Largest gathering of people dressed as the Hulk
The largest gathering of people dressed as the Hulk was achieved by 574 participants at the Muckno Mania Festival (Ireland), Castleblayney, Ireland, on 13 July 2012.

Nun

Largest gathering of people dressed as nuns
The largest gathering of people dressed as nuns was 1,436 and was achieved by Nunday Listowel (Ireland) in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, on 30 June 2012.

The attempt was organised to raise funds for charity Pieta House.

Heaviest duck egg
The heaviest duck egg weighed 227 g (8 ounces)and measured 14 cm (5.5 in) in height with a circumference of 20 cm (8 in). The egg was laid in November 1999 by a White Pekin duck owned by Willie and Kitty Costello, of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland.

Oldest Moon map
A series of carvings on a rock at Knowth, in the valley of the River Boyne, has been identified as the most ancient Moon map discovered to date. It is estimated to have been carved around 5,000 years ago.